Chapter 9.
It was a day later when Regan hurried after Marcus, down the steps of the Drovers' veranda. 'Marcus wait a sec', she breathed in and out deeply, at least pleased she had caught him before he would leave to Killarney.

He turned around and frowned, now standing on the dry soil at the back of the main house. 'Did I forget something?', Marcus asked, not sure why Regan came running after him.

'Oh no', she quickly waved away a few flies, taking in another deep breath to calm down her body. Her condition still needed to get better, no doubt working on Drovers would increase it. He gazed at her face, her nearly out of breath way. Deep brown friendly eyes started at him. 'I wanted to talk to you about Grace'. That was out in the open, and it felt quite good Regan noted.

'Is she okay?', he asked, a certain concern in his voice. Still his brow held a frown, eyes weakly narrowed. His hands rested on his hips, wearing his green shirt.

'Well, she's coping. I mean, I know you guys didn't have another choice than to break up, and well I know you care about her. I know you're crazy about Ingrid, but ...', she took her moment, hoping he would understand; 'Grace felt that way about you, for quite some time. It's not easy for her to see you and Ingrid all cozy all the time. Surely with you spending most of your nights on Drovers now.' Regan blew out. Her brown eyes gazing intensely at him, waiting for his reply.

'Oh', Marcus mumbled; 'I ... well I thought she kinda was dealing well with it'. He felt himself weakly turning on his feet, unsure to this bit of information.

'Of course she doesn't want you to know. She wants you to be happy, but maybe you could think about it, try to not make it so obviously with Ingrid when Grace is around.' It was pretty much all she wanted to tell him, nothing more nothing less. It was for the better, just looking after her sister.

He breathed deeply in through his wide nostrils and nodded; 'okay, I'll try.'

***

Russ' Ute was parked on the entrance of Neil Thompson's homestead. Gathering his equipment together he saw Ingrid driving towards him. For a moment he leaned against the right side of his Ute, shaking his head amused, seeing her stop her Ute and step out. 'We really should get a secretary', he chuckled, grinning at her.

Quick steps let the small blonde vet towards him. 'I just got a call from Jodi, thought I should check it out. Didn't know you were already dealing with it', Ingrid told him.

He looked amused at her; 'I bet Neil called Drovers to check if you were there, than called me and Jodi still thought you needed to go. Okay twice in a week already, we might give her some instructions', Russ now smirked; 'I'm covering it, but you can help. His stud bull has been acting strange since last night. Just looks like a little infection, but not 100% sure if it's all'.

Their companionship was working out quite well; both liked each other and tried the best to make it work, only these little mess ups made it hard which job whom would cover.

'Okay, I'll walk along with you. You have it all?', she asked to be sure, but he obviously had.

He looked at her shortly, giving her a smile as they both walked towards the back. 'Just a treatment with dimetridazole chlorhydrate would have to do, but doubting if it's all. So if you can check it too.'

Ingrid was pleased he was the kind of man that saw her as equal, and wouldn't back away from a second opinion.

Minutes later Russ was treating the bull. Neil had seen it went well so had left the two vets alone after making a joke about having to pay twice now. 'We need to find a solution for that', Ingrid grinned.

Russ moved back, just watched the animal, his eyes focused. 'You've seen Stevie these last few days?', he just spoke, without looking at her. He slid the gloves of his hands, content with his work so far.

'A bit', Ingrid just answered, crossing her arms in front of her chest. She was now getting curious what he exactly wanted to know.

'Is she okay?', he now turned towards her and gazed shortly at her, before his eyes looked down and he brushed the dirt of his jeans.

Ingrid smiled gently, looking at him; 'I think so yes. You wanna know if she has said something about you?' Amused she was waiting for his reply.

A bit nonchalant, not bothered much, he just answered; 'well maybe, not that any girl talk would need to be spilled. Just wondered if she is okay.'

Her eyes gleamed, finding it rather cute how a man could ask such things. Her grin was saying enough. Looking at her Russ now had to smirk too, feeling his own pathetic ways of just asking the obvious. A bit shy he started to scratch the back of his head with his right hand; glancing away, but grinning sheepishly. 'That obvious hey'. Ingrid nodded amused. He know stuffed his hands in the pocket of his jeans, holding a silly grin. 'I just really like her.'

'I see that', Ingrid said, wetting her lips quickly; 'sorry that I can't help you much. You might just better ask her yourself, but I guess she really had a great time the other night.'